New Startup Aimed At Connecting Farmers With Produce Buyers. Nile is a South African business to business e-commerce platform founded by Louis de Kock, Eugene Roodt and Rick Kleinhans that offers buyers access to high quality fresh produce at transparent prices.
The founding team had been developing the business concept and platform since February 2020 and launched it to the public in November. Nile plans to take advantage of the fact that fresh produce trading is rapidly digitizing in Southern Africa.
Co-founder Louis de Kock said, “Our platform makes it easy and safe to trade fresh produce and a wholesale buyer can now view live prices and availability from multiple producers across different regions. A buyer can place orders instantly by selecting specific ripeness, grade, size and packaging.”
The company is currently self-funded but plans on initiating its first external fundraising this year. It has already seen a strong uptake since its launch as one million kilograms of fruit and vegetables have already been traded via its online platform, while it has also managed to get several of South Africa’s leading producers across most key trading lines onboard.
“While traditional markets require both products and traders to meet physically at a central location, online trading ensures that products are delivered through the shortest possible route between buyers and sellers. This greatly reduces food waste and food miles. Using technology and digitising the transaction process, Nile can reduce the high transaction costs inherent in the fresh produce industry.”
The start-up charges a commission on trades made via its platform. It has a goal of enabling African producers to access the markets with the biggest need for their products.
Check out their website here: https://nile.ag/
